Cornforths celebrate 50 years of marriage, 50 years in Minden

Keith and Martha Cornforth, residents of Carson Valley since 1957, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.

The Cornforths were married Oct. 5, 1957, at the Little Church Around the Corner in Los Angeles.

Keith Cornforth, born and raised in Denver, was stationed in Oxnard, Calif., with the U.S. Air Force when he met Martha Estridge, from Ansonville, N.C., who was based in Los Angeles while flying for United Airlines on the Los Angeles to Hawaii route. The couple moved to Minden in 1957 when Keith purchased the Carson Valley Veterinary Hospital from Jack Pitcher.

The Cornforths have three children: Beth Treacy from Chicago, Jennifer Berry lives with her husband Michael and their two children Annika and Tate in Evergreen, Colo., and Nancy Schwartz lives with her husband Craig in Huntington Beach, Calif.

The first time Martha flew from Los Angeles to visit Keith, he picked her up late from the Reno airport which in those days consisted of a couple of bar stools and a few slot machines. Martha, dressed in the ladylike fashion of the day, glanced up to see Keith, who had come directly from a call in his green 1954 Oldsmobile veterinary vehicle, in a pair of manure-covered work boots.

This was one of many situations where Keith showed up late and dirty for special events, including taking Martha to the hospital for the birth of one of their children because he was busy pulling a calf.

Being married to a rural veterinarian took a bit of adjustment. Dr. Cornforth worked tireless hours in the veterinary practice while Martha helped with the books and raised their three girls.

Keith was a member of the Lions Club, president of Rotary Club, president of the Douglas County School Board, member of the Gardnerville Gun Club and has been involved with the Mosquito Abatement Board since 1967. He served as the local meat inspector, coached Little League Baseball and is a Court-Appointed Special Advocate.

Martha was a registered nurse at Carson Tahoe Hospital and later worked at the emergency clinic in Gardnerville and owned her dress shop, Martha's. She belonged to Fortnightly and served on the board of the Carson Tahoe Hospital Foundation. Martha keeps busy playing golf with the ladies' clubs at the Genoa Lakes Country Club and playing bridge.

The Cornforth children wish their parents a happy 50th wedding anniversary: "We are so lucky to have grown up with stability, support, acceptance and love from parents that were so committed to our family. We love you more than words can say."